An apparatus, method, computer readable medium, and system are provided to generate a symbol placement associated with a transmission scheme by transforming a retrieved set of equalization coefficients. Symbols included in the symbol placement may be analyzed and quantified in terms of their distance from a decision boundary. Symbols may be synthesized on an iterative basis in order to obtain visibility into the underlying performance of the transmission scheme over time. If equalization is unable to reduce a signal impairment below a threshold value within a predetermined amount of time, then a determination may be made that a non-linear distortion source is present in a network or communication system. Signals received from a plurality of user terminals may be compared with one another in order to determine a probable location or cause of the non-linear distortion.
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1. A method comprising: generating, by a first computing device and based on a first signal received from a second computing device, a first symbol placement, wherein the first signal was transmitted based on a first set of equalization coefficients; transmitting, by the first computing device and to the second computing device, a second set of equalization coefficients; generating, by the first computing device and based on a second signal received from the second computing device, a second symbol placement, wherein the second signal was transmitted based on the second set of equalization coefficients; and transmitting, based at least in part on the second symbol placement, a status message comprising an indication of one or more symbols that satisfy a threshold indicative of likely demodulation error at the second computing device.
A system monitors signal quality between two devices. A first device receives a signal from a second device, where the signal was transmitted using an initial set of equalization settings. Based on the received signal, the first device creates a symbol placement diagram representing the received signal. The first device transmits an updated set of equalization settings back to the second device. After the second device adjusts its transmission based on these new settings, the first device receives another signal and generates a second symbol placement. Based on this second symbol placement, the first device sends a status message back to the second device, highlighting any symbols that are likely to be misinterpreted (demodulated incorrectly) due to their position in the symbol placement.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining, by the first computing device, whether a signal impairment associated with the second signal satisfies a threshold value; and in response to determining that the signal impairment associated with the second signal does not satisfy the threshold value, determining that the signal impairment associated with the second signal is non-linear.
The signal monitoring system described above also checks if the overall signal quality of the second received signal is below a certain acceptable level. If the signal quality is not good enough, the system determines that the problem isn't just regular signal degradation, but a more complex, "non-linear" distortion issue is likely present. This implies the distortion isn't a simple, predictable change to the signal.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising: determining that a signal impairment associated with a third signal received from a third computing device is non-linear; determining a network component of a communication channel common to the second computing device and the third computing device; and determining that the network component is a probable error source location of the signal impairment associated with the second signal and the signal impairment associated with the third signal, wherein the status message comprises an identifier of the network component.
In the above system, if non-linear signal impairment is detected from both a second device and a third device, the system tries to pinpoint the source of the problem. It identifies a shared network component (like a cable or amplifier) that both devices use to communicate. The system concludes that this shared component is the most likely cause of the distortion for both devices and includes the identity of this component in the status message. The status message transmitted will also contain an identifier of the problematic network component.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: calculating at least one of a modulation error ratio (MER) and an error vector based on the first symbol placement.
The signal monitoring system described initially calculates metrics like Modulation Error Ratio (MER) or error vectors based on the first symbol placement. These metrics quantify the quality of the signal represented by the symbol placement diagram, giving a baseline measurement before equalization adjustments are made. These metrics provide a way to quantify signal degradation.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining a location of a source likely causing a non-linear signal impairment, wherein the status message comprises an indication of a distance between the source and the second computing device.
The signal monitoring system described also attempts to locate the physical source of any detected non-linear signal impairment. The status message sent back to the second device includes an estimate of the distance between the device and the suspected location of the distortion source. This helps in physically troubleshooting the network.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: calculating, by the first computing device, a distance between a location of an ideal symbol placement and an actual location of the second symbol placement.
The signal monitoring system described also calculates the difference or distance between where symbols *should* be ideally located in the second symbol placement (perfect signal) and where they are *actually* located after equalization. This quantifies how effective the equalization process was in improving the signal quality and reducing distortion.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: generating, based on the first symbol placement and the second symbol placement, a constellation pattern, wherein the constellation pattern comprises a plurality of demodulation decision boundaries for different symbols, and wherein the threshold indicative of likely demodulation error comprises a threshold distance to a demodulation decision boundary of the plurality of demodulation decision boundaries.
The signal monitoring system described above generates a constellation pattern based on the first and second symbol placements. This pattern visually represents the different possible symbols and the boundaries where the receiver decides which symbol was sent. The system then flags symbols in the second symbol placement that are too close to these decision boundaries as likely to be misinterpreted, using a specific threshold distance as the criterion. The "threshold indicative of likely demodulation error" refers to this minimum distance to a boundary.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first set of equalization coefficients comprises a set of pre-equalization coefficients.
In the described signal monitoring system, the initial set of equalization coefficients sent to the second device before any signal analysis are specifically "pre-equalization" settings. These are initial, generic settings applied before any specific signal characteristics are measured or compensated for.
9. A method comprising: determining, by a first computing device, that application of equalization coefficients to signals transmitted by a second computing device and via a communication channel is unable to reduce signal impairment associated with the signals to satisfy a threshold value within a threshold amount of time; determining, by the first computing device and based on the determining, that a non-linear signal impairment is present in the communication channel used by the second computing device; and causing output of an indication of the determination that the non-linear signal impairment is present in the communication channel used by the second computing device.
A system monitors signal quality and identifies non-linear distortions. The system determines that using equalization settings to improve signals from a device is not effectively reducing the signal impairment (distortion) below an acceptable level within a specified time. Based on this failure to equalize the signal, the system determines that a non-linear distortion is present in the communication path used by that device. The system then reports or outputs a message indicating that this non-linear distortion has been detected.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising: determining, by the first computing device, that a signal received from a third computing device has the non-linear signal impairment; and determining, by the first computing device and based on a communication path common to the second computing device and the third computing device, a probable location of a source of the non-linear signal impairment.
In the non-linear distortion detection system, if a signal from a second device *and* a signal from a third device both show the same non-linear impairment, the system tries to find the source. It identifies a communication path element (like a cable, amplifier, or connector) that is used by both devices. The system then concludes that the most likely source of the non-linear distortion is located along this shared communication path.
11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising: transmitting at least one status message comprising a map indicating a geographic region where the second computing device and the third computing device are located.
The non-linear distortion detection system can transmit status messages that include a map showing the geographical area where the devices experiencing non-linear distortion are located. This provides a visual context for understanding the potential physical proximity of the distortion source and the affected devices.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the at least one status message comprises an indication of a distance between the probable location of the source and the second computing device.
In addition to a map, the status message from the non-linear distortion detection system includes an estimate of the distance between the affected device and the most likely location of the source of the non-linear distortion. This helps pinpoint the physical location of the problem.
13. A method comprising: generating, by a first computing device and based on a first set of equalization coefficients associated with a first signal received from a second computing device, a first symbol placement; generating, by the first computing device and based on a second set of equalization coefficients associated with a second signal received from the second computing device, a second symbol placement; and determining, by the first computing device, a likely source of a demodulation error associated with the first symbol placement and the second symbol placement.
A system analyzes signal quality and identifies potential sources of errors. It receives signals from a device, applies different equalization settings to those signals, and generates symbol placement diagrams for each set of equalization settings. Based on these symbol placements, the system attempts to determine the likely origin or cause of any demodulation errors (misinterpretations of the signal) that are occurring.
14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising: transmitting a status message comprising an indication of which of a plurality of symbols is more likely to be subject to a demodulation error at the second computing device.
The signal quality analysis system transmits a status message indicating which specific symbols are most likely to be incorrectly interpreted (demodulated) by the receiving device. This provides specific information about the type of errors that are occurring and helps in diagnosing the problem.
15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising: determining, by the first computing device, whether a signal impairment associated with the second signal satisfies a threshold value; and in response to determining that the signal impairment associated with the second signal does not satisfy the threshold value, determining that the signal impairment associated with the second signal is non-linear.
In the signal quality analysis system, after applying equalization settings to signals from a device, the system evaluates the overall signal quality. If the signal quality is still below an acceptable level, the system determines that a non-linear signal impairment is present, suggesting a more complex distortion than simple signal degradation.
16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising: transmitting, by the first computing device, to a device, and based on the second symbol placement, guidance on how to alter the second computing device or a component associated with the second computing device.
Based on the analysis of symbol placement, the signal quality analysis system can provide recommendations or guidance to a device on how to adjust its settings or replace components. This guidance is intended to improve signal quality and reduce demodulation errors, allowing for remote troubleshooting.
17. The method of claim 13 , further comprising: transmitting, based on the second symbol placement, a distance between the second computing device and the likely source of the demodulation error.
Based on the symbol placement analysis, the signal quality analysis system provides an estimate of the distance between the device and the most likely source of the demodulation errors. This helps in physically locating and addressing the source of the problem.
18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising: generating, by first the computing device, a constellation pattern based on the first symbol placement and the second symbol placement.
The signal quality analysis system creates a constellation pattern from the symbol placements generated with different equalization settings. This visual representation of the signal helps in identifying and understanding the nature of the distortion and potential demodulation errors.
19. The method of claim 13 , further comprising: calculating one or more of a modulation error ratio (MER) or an error vector corresponding to the second symbol placement.
As part of its signal quality analysis, the system calculates metrics such as Modulation Error Ratio (MER) or error vectors based on the generated symbol placement diagrams. These metrics provide a quantitative assessment of the signal quality and the effectiveness of the equalization settings.
20. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first set of equalization coefficients comprises a set of pre-equalization coefficients.
In the signal quality analysis system, the initial set of equalization coefficients used before analyzing the signal are "pre-equalization" settings. These are generic, initial settings applied before any specific signal characteristics are measured or compensated for, serving as a baseline.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
February 24, 2014
March 21, 2017
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